Division of Public Health warns against consuming raw dairy products

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Thursday

Jun 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM

The Delaware Division of Public Health reminded Delawareans to avoid consuming raw dairy products as it announces a confirmed case of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis in a 46-year-old Sussex County woman.

The illness is a bacterial infection, which primarily affects those consuming or coming into contact with contaminated animals or animal products. The most common source of infection is through the consumption of raw, unpasteurized dairy products. Prior to becoming ill, the patient, in this case, had consumed unpasteurized homemade dairy products from Mexico. No other risk factors have been identified. The individual is recovering after being treated for the illness. A second, related case of brucellosis is also pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Brucellosis infection is most frequently transmitted by eating or drinking raw/unpasteurized dairy products such as milk and cheese, yet can also be contracted through inhalation or physical contact with infected animals or animal products. When sheep, goats, cows or camels are infected, their milk becomes contaminated with the bacteria. If the milk from infected animals is not pasteurized, the infection will be transmitted to people who consume the milk and/or cheese products. Brucellosis is not common in the U.S. Nationally, the average is less than 200 human cases each year. Person to person transmission is rare. Prior to this case, DPH has confirmed three cases since 2010; those cases occurred in 2010, 2017 and 2018. The case in 2010 was associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk while the nature of exposure in the 2017 and 2018 cases is unknown.

“Cases such as this one can serve as an unfortunate reminder that we are vulnerable to certain bacteria and should take precautions to protect ourselves,” said DPH Medical Director Rick Hong. “Delawareans are encouraged to avoid purchasing and consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Consuming questionable food items is not worth the risk to your health.”

Raw milk and milk products are those that have not undergone a process called pasteurization that kills disease-causing germs. These types of products are common outside the U.S. and are increasingly being sold in mainstream supermarkets in the U.S. as well, though sales are not permitted in Delaware. Various germs that are sometimes found in raw milk can make people sick. These germs include brucella, campylobacter, cryptosporidium, E. coli, listeria and salmonella.

The state’s Milk Safety Program, as well as statewide inspections of retail food establishments, are in place to protect consumers from purchasing or consuming raw dairy products, but unlawful distribution may still occur. Some neighboring states allow for the sale of raw dairy products, therefore residents should be aware of the health risks associated with consuming these products before purchasing and consuming them.

Signs and symptoms of brucellosis are similar to the flu. Initial symptoms include fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, muscle or joint pain and fatigue. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat brucellosis. In pregnant women, brucella infections can be associated with miscarriage. Symptom onset can occur anywhere from five days to six months following exposure. Depending on the timing of treatment and the severity of illness, recovery may take several weeks.

No vaccine is available to prevent developing brucellosis, but preventive measures can be taken:

— Do not eat, drink, or purchase unpasteurized milk or dairy products, especially while traveling outside the U.S. Locations that commonly sell dairy products include supermarkets, farmers’ markets and dairy farms.

— Read the label on milk or milk products before purchase. Many companies put the word “pasteurized” on the label. If unsure, ask a store employee if specific brands are pasteurized.

— At farm stands or farmers’ markets, ask if the milk and cream being sold have been pasteurized. If the market sells yogurt, ice cream or cheese, ask if they were made with pasteurized milk.